By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater may want to rush on over to Clay County this coming weekend because the Punkin Chunkin is back in town. Ever seen adults compete to make pumpkins fly? You will have plenty of chances to see real pumpkins tossed and thrown hundreds, even thousands of feet.
This year marks the 14th Punkin Chunkin and the event has grown bigger each year. Seven machines and the teams who operate them, are coming from as far as Georgia, Canton, N.C. and even Michigan, to compete against the hometown folks.
While trebuchets and catapults may seem normal pumpkin chunking devices, Punkin Chunkin will have others.
Clay County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Rich explained, “This year we do have a human powered machine entered and an air cannon that should shoot pumpkins more than 3,000 feet.”
The main event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22. Sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, the family-friendly event features pumpkin throwing, pie-eating contests, axe throwing and live entertainment. Old time tractors will be on display with hay rides, a mechanical bull, as well as airplane rides. The kid-zone is always a popular place with lots of kids’ activities, including bounce houses and face-painting. Some activities are an additional cost over the price of admission.
On both days, the machines are scheduled to launch pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. The machines will take practice throws before then and attendees may get an up-close look at the machines. Bring a lawn chair to sit and enjoy the competition, as well as the beautiful fall scenery.
Rich said there will be about 90 vendors this year. “These range from informational booths, arts and crafts, agricultural and the Tractor Club,” he said. “We will have about 14 food vendors that will have barbecue, fair food, Caribbean food, Hawaiian and really nice desserts”
The tasty part of the fun begins at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 with the Chili Cook-off and Anything Pumpkin Event on the Historic Hayesville Square. Tickets will be sold at the event for $6 each on a first-come first-serve basis. Come and enjoy the music and dine out at one of the many restaurants located in historic downtown. Also, on Friday evening, Chamber After Hours will be hosted at the Punkin Chunkin festival grounds from 5:30-7 p.m.
Rich ended with this reminder, “This is the 14th iteration of Punkin Chunkin and note that the competition times are two times per day on both days. Weather at this time looks to be cooperating, so come on out and enjoy the entire day.”
Punkin Chunkin’s main event is held at 811 Settawig Road in Brasstown. No pets or firearms allowed. Parking is $5, admission is $5 per person and children under five are free. Call the Clay County Chamber of Commerce at (828) 389-3704 or visit: https://www.claychambernc.com for details.